Machine for severing wire fabric



July-3, 1928. W. E. BOWLER MACHINE FOR SEVERING' WIRE FABRIC 5Sheets-Sheet Original Filed June 1'7, 1925 hm um INVENTOR 7 m. $$w4 YWfitMVW-I 1: I- Ii. I

July 3, i928. 1,675,747

w. E. BOWLER MACHINE FOR SEVERING WIRE FABRIC Original Filed June 17,1925 5' Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 2 INIENTOR m7 M c 5 Sheet-Sheet 3 Q W. E.BOWLER MACHINE FOR SEVERING WIRE FABRIC Original Fiied June 17, 19 5 7July 3,1928

July 3, 1928.

W. E. BOWLER MACHINE FOR SEVERING WIRE FABRIC Original Filed June 17,1925 s sheets sneet 4 INVENTOR m a. M

Jill 3, 1928.

W. E. BOWLER MACHINE FOR SEVERING WIRE FABRIC Original Filed June 1'7,1925 5 sheets-sheet 5 vmmrk INVENTOR- Patented July 3, 71928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. BOWLER, OFNIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNO R TO THE SPIRELLACOMPANY, OF HEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR. SEVERING WIRE FABRIC.

Original application filed Tune 17.1925,

This invention relates to apparatus for making Wire fabric, and forautomatically severing the fabric after it is formed.

The present application is a division ofa copending application bearingSerial No. 37,731, filed June 17, 1925.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide a machine for makingwire fabric such as corset stays, embodying mechanism for automaticallysevering the formed fabric in predetermined lengths.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide severing mechanism ofnovel and improved construction which shall be coordinated with theforming mechanism in a manner to be actuated by the latter in accordancewith the speed at which the fabric is formed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of theabove designated character in which the operating cycle of the severingmechanism may be varied in accordance with the operating speed of theforming mechanism.

The mechanism comprising the combined machine, and which performs theoperations of forming and severing the wire fabric, embodies theelements for straightening, unbending and untwisting the fabric whichare claimed in the above mentioned copending application.

The present invention comprises the combination of the forming andsevering mechanisms and particularly the novel features of constructionof the latter.

Generally stated the sub ect matter of the present invention comprises awire fabric forming mechanism and a severing mechanism, means forfeeding the fabric to the severing mechanism. and control mechanismassociated with the forming mechanism for coordinating the severing andthe forming operations to produce fabricated stays of;

predetermined length.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apparatusembodying the principles of this invention; Fig. plan view thereof; Fig.3 a vertical transverse section on theline 11IIII, Fig. 1, illustratingthe cutting-off mechanism in end elevation; Fig. 4 a side elevation ofsaid cutting mechanism and its controlling means. viewed from the rearof the machine; Fig. 5 an ele- SerialNo. 37,731. Divided and thisapplication filed latch 26, 1927. Serial No. 178,618.

anism for the controlling means for the cuti ting-off mechanism; Fig. (ia plan view of the same; Fig. 7 a vertical transverse sec tion on theline VII-VIL Fig. 5; Fig. 8 a horizontal sectional view on the lineVIII-"VIII, Fig. 5; Fig. 9 a vertical longitudinal section on the lineIX-IX,Fig. 6; and Fig. 10 a detail View of the brake mechan smassociated with the cutting-off mechanism.

()n the drawings the reference A indicates the mechanism for bending thewire to form oppositely disposed overlapping loops the details of whichhave no bearing on the present invention. Inasmuch as machines of thistype are well known, the machine has not been illustrated in detail, butonly its general outline and so much of its parts have been illustratedas are necessary to show the connection of the other parts of themechanism thereto. The machine A is driven from the belt pulleys, fromwhich all of the parts of said machine are operated, and from whichpower pulleys also all of the mechanism which are associated with thiswire bending machine are driven. The iiistant drawings illustrate thefeeding-out rollers of said machine, and the vertical drive shaft forsaid feeding-out rollers. This last named shaft is provided at its lowerend with a beveled pinion 1 with which meshes a beveled pinion 2 on alongitudinal shaft 3 which extends tothe outer end of the machine andfrom which all of the other associated mechanism are driven. The courseof the fabricated stay formed by machine A is shown at L, Figs. 1 and 2.

After leaving the bending or forming machine the wire fabric passes to apulling and tension mechanism illustrated generally at B, Figs. and 2.The next mechanism to which the wire lssubjected, in the orderillustrated in the drawings, is the flatwise straightening or uncoilingmechanism, illustrated generally at O, Fi 1 and 2. The fabric thenpasses to a device indicated at D for removing twists therefrom. Thefabric next passes to a device indicated at E for removing any edgewisebends therein. The fabric is fed through the edgewise straighteningdeviceE, and then delivered to the cutting-off device, next to bedescribed. The fabric is fed from the forming mechanism A to B, C, D andE by a plurality of feed rolls 5 which are driven by worms 6 on thelongitudinal shaft 7.

The cutting-off device is indicated as a whole by the reference letter Fand is shown in enlarged view in Figs. 3 and 4. It comprises a base oranvil. 10 to which is secured a channeled guide member 11 providing alongitudinal passage 12 for the fabric. This guide member is provided inits top with a transverse slot, as is also the anvil 10, to receive aknife 13 clamped in the outer end of a strong rocking lever 1%fulcrui'ued on the longitudinal axis at 15 and having its other armpivotally connected to a pitman 16 having a strap portion surrounding aneccentric 18 on a short longitudinal shaft 19 mounted directly in therear of the longitudinal drive shaft 7, and geared to the latter to beintermittently rotated. This connection comprises a gear 21 on the shaft7 which meshes with a gear 22 loose on the shaft 19 and provided withone member of a jaw clutch 23. The other member of this jaw clutch issplined to the shaft 19 and is normally urged into looking engagementwith the member on gear 22 by a compression spring 24 interposed betweensaid member and a disc on the end of shaft 19. This slidable clutchmember is provided with a groove 26, which is engaged by the forked arm27 of an angle lever fulcrumed at 28 and having its other arm 29controlled by means hereinafter described.

The mechanism is so designed that when the shaft 19 is actuated tooperate the cutter, it makes one complete revolution and then stops. Toassist it in stopping in the proper position two devices are employed.One comprises the yielding brake plate 30 secured to a portion of thestationary frame and which is adapted to be frictionally engaged by aneccentrically faced disc 31 on the end of shaft 19. The plate 30 isadjustable toward and from the disc 31 by means of an adjusting screw 32tapped through an arm on the frame. The arrangement is such that whenthe shaft 19 has completed a full revolution the high part of theeccentric disc 81 will frictionally engage the plate 30. thus producinga friction which will tend to bring the shaft 19 to rest.

The other device comprises a pitmau rod 35 engaging a crank pin 36 onthe disc 25 on shaft 19, and which pitman rod is ar ranged toreciprocate therewith through an opening in a stationary guide member37. Interposed between this guide member 37 and a fixed collar 38 on therod 35 is a compression spring 39. the whole being so ma ranged thatwhen the spring 39 is expanded to the fullest extent the pitman rod willbe elevated, thus tending to bring the shaft 19 to a standstill at atime when the crank pin 36 is in its most elevated position, which isjust the time when the high part of the eccentric disc 31 is infrictional engagement with the brake plate 30. These special means forbringing thegshaft-lt) to astate of rest in a given position arenecessary because of the very rapid movement of said shaft, givinga fullup and down movement to knife 18 in a very short interval of time.

The mechanism for bringing about the intermittent action of the cutteris shown in general view in Fig. 2, and in detail in Figs. 5 to 9. Itcomprises reciprocating means for guiding and controlling the movementof the lever 29 which actuates the clutch 23, and also adjustablereversing mechanism for actuating said reciprocating mechanisn'i. Themain element of the reciprocating mechanism comprises a screw 40extending longitudinally of the machine and mounted in bearings 11 onthe back side thereof. This screw is driven from the shaft 3 through beveled pinious 42, and transverse horizontal shaft 43, the latter of whichis connected through a pair of spiral gears to a short longitudinalshaft 4-6 which is connected to the screw 40 through certain reversingmechanism new to be described, and which is shown in detail in Figs. 5to 9.

Shaft 46 is provided with one gear 17 which meshes directly with a gi'ar48 loose on the end of screw 40; and another gear 49 which connectsthrough an intermediate idler 50 with a gear 51, also loose on the endof screw 40. Splined to the'screw 40 between the gears 48 and 51 is adouble jaw clutch member 52 arranged to engage, when forcedto itsopposite position, cooperating jaws on the gears 48 and 51,respectively, but only one at a time. Clutch member 52 is provided withan annular groove engaged by a fork 53 on lever 54 which is fulcrumed at55 on a stationary frame member 56. The lower end of lever 54 isbifurcated as shown in Fig. 7, and each of its arms is provided with asegmental run-way 57 for a roller 58. The two rollers 58 are connectedby a neck 59 on which is swiveled the upper end of a rod 60.

The lower end of this rod reciprocates through an oscillating collar 61pivotally mounted in the lower end of an arm 62 which projects down fromthe frame member 56. Between the bearing 61 and a shoulder 63 near theupper end of rod is a compression spring 64 which acts to force said rod60 upwardly. Consequently when the rollcrs 58 are at one end of thesegmental run-ways 57, such for instance as at the left hand end asshown in Fig. 5, the lever 53 is held in the position Where the clutchmember 52 is engaged with the gear 48. If, however, said rollers beforcibly moved toward the right, viewing Fig. 5, it will cause spring 64to becompressed, so that as soon as the rollers pass the, lowest pointinthe curved segmental run-ways 57, that is to say, passbeyond the deadcenter, the espanslon of spring 64 will quickly force sa d rollers tothe extreme right hand end of: said runways 57, thus causing a quicksnapping rotation of the lever 54 to disengage the clutch member 52 fromgear 48 bringing it into engagement with gear 51, thus reversing therotation of the screw 40.

The means for moving the rollers 58 and thus oscillating the lever 54 asdescribed, consists of the following mechanism: 66 IS a block providedwith a threaded hole engag ing screw l0, and hence willbe moved eitherto the right or the left, depending upon the direction of rotation ofsaid screw. This block is guided on a stationary longitudinal bar 67,and is provided with an opening which loosely surrounds a rod 68 mountedfor endwise movement in guides on the frame. Stop sleeves 70 arethreaded into therblock 66 on opposite sides thereof for a purposehereinafter stated. Secured to the rod 68 at one side of the block 66 isa stop member 71, which at one end has an opening loosely surroundingand guided on the rod 67. On the opposite side of block 66 isa similarstop 72, which is readily adjustable longitudinally of the rod 68 bymeans of the winged clamping screw 7 3. The rod 68 1s further providedwith projecting arms 74 and 75, respectively, one of which carries apush rod 76 and the .other'a push rod 77. The ends of these push rodslie on opposite sides of the upper end of the toggle rod 60.

lVhen the screw 40is rotating in one direction, say in a direction tomove the block 66 toward the right in Fig. 5, the right hand sleeve 70will eventually contact stop 71 on rod 68, thus moving saidrod towardthe right and causing push rod 76 to push the upper end of the togglerod 60 toward the right, until, as already stated,- the rollers 58 passthe deadcenter in the curved run-ways in the lower end of lever 54andcause said lever to snap quickly into the reverse position, therebydisengaging clutch 52 from gear 48 and bringing it into engagement withgear 51 and thus reversing the direction of rotation of screw 40. Thiscauses the block 66 to move in the'opposite direction, that is, towardthe left, Fig. 5, and. this movementwill continue until the left handsleeve 70 contacts the stop 72 which will cause the rod 68 to be movedto the left, and thus cause the push arm 77 to come into en gagementwith the upper end of toggle rod 68, moving said upper end, now towardthe left, until again the rollers 58 pass the dead center of thecurvedrun-ways 57, which will again cause the lever 54 to quicklyreverse its position and thus reverse the, clutch 52 and again reversethe rotation of screw 40.

By having the sleeves 7O threaded into,

the block 66 their positions can be nicely adjusted in order to bringabout the move ment of the rod 68 and thus the actuation of the clutch52 at precisely the right moment. rod 68 but the other stop 72 isadjustable on the rod so that thereby the time of reversal of the screw40 can be regulated in order that the cutter be actuated to sever thefabric into pieces of different lengths. That is to say, the closer the;stop 72 is to the stop 71 the shorter will be the lengths of fabricwhich are produced, whereas the farther the, stop 72 is from stop 71 thelonger will be the lengths of fabric produced.

The clutch for clutching the knife actuating shaft 19 and forunclutching it from the drive shaft 3 is controlled from thereciprocating mechanism by the following means: shown in Fig. 4 thehorizontal arm 29 of the clutch actuating fork is provided with adownwardly pro ecting nib 80 and a horizontal finger 81. The nib 80 isengaged by a wedge-shaped member 82 mounted to reciprocate horizontallyso that when projected underneath the nib 80 it will raise arm 20 of theclutch fork and open the clutch 23, and when withdrawn from underneathsaid nib it leaves the clutch lever arm 29 under the control of themeans hereinafter described for engaging the horizontally projectedfinger 81. The wedge member 82 is projected underneath the nib 80 toopen the clutch by means of a compression spring 83, surrounding thelongitudinal rod 8% which carries the wedge 82, and interposed betweensaid wedge 82 and-a stationary. member 85. surrounding said rod 84. Thewedge member 82 is withdrawn from underneath the nib 80, and at thesametime spring 83 is compressed, by the following means, (Fig. 9) Block66 is provided with The stop 71, as stated, is fixed to the a verticalbore in which is mounted a slidable dog 86 which is normally presseddownwardly by a spring 87 to engage a lug 88 on rod 84. Hence when theblock 66 is moved in a direction away from the outer end of the machine,the dog 86 by its engagement with the lug 88, forcibly moves the rod 84in the direction to withdraw wedge 82 from underneath the nib 80 on theclutch lever and at the same time compresses spring 83. This engagement.of dog86 with projection 88 occurs only when the block 66 approaches thelimit of its movement in thatdirection, and results, as stated, inwithdrawing the wedge 82 from underneath the clutch lever nib 80 andleaves the clutch lever under the control of the means which engages theprofurther movement of the block 66 in the direction in which it hasbeen moving efi'ects the unlocking of the dog 86 from the lug 88, thuspermitting the compression spring 83 to quickly project the wedge 82underneath the nib and thus again open the clutch. This unlocking of dog86 is due to the fact that when the block tit) moves slightly further inthe direction in which it has been moving, it brings into engagementwith a stationary roller 90 the outer inclined end of a lever 91 whichis fulcrumed at 92 in the block 66 and is provided with a projection 93engaging a shoulder 94 on the dog 86. The incline on the end of lever 92is such that when the free end of said lever is forced down by itsengagement with roller 40 (as it will be by further movement of block(56) the dog 86 is lifted out of engagement with the projection 88, andthis allows the compression spring 83 to move the wedge 82 underneaththe nib 80 and forcibly open the clutch 23.

Thus the wedge 82 constitutes positive means for opening the clutch 23,but to permit the clutch to close, the action of the wedge 82 issupplemented by an additional control means which must be actuatedbefore the clutch can close. This additional controlling means comprisesa horizontally movable member 95 which engages underneath the tinger 81ot' lever 29 and which member is guided for horizontal movement by slot96 and pin 97 connecting the same to the wedge member 82, and which iscarried by longitudinal rod 98 which extends toward the forward end ofthe machine, parallel to the rod 84, and extends loosely through anopening in the fixed bearing 41. It is normally biased in a direction tohold its end underneath thcfinger 81 by means of compression spring 100between the bearing 41 and collar 101 fixed to the rod 98 (Fig. 6).Adjustably secured to said rod is a stop collar 102 arranged to beengaged by block (56 so as to push the rod 98 in a direction to compressthe spring 100, and thus withdraw the trigger 95 from underneath theiinger 81.

The several parts are so positioned that in the movement of the block 66toward the right, viewing Fig. 6, the dog 86 engages projection 88 andforces rod 84 in the direction of movement of the block 66, thuswithdrawing the wedge member 82 from underneath the nib 80, and at thesame time compreming spring 83. This would enable the clutch spring 24to close the clutch 23 were it not for the trigger 95 which is still inengagement with finger 81. The movement of block 66 continues and saidblock shortly comes in contact with the collar 102 on the rod ,98, thusmoving said rod in the same direction and withdrawing the trigger 95from underneath finger 81. This then releases the clutch actuating leverand permits the spring 24 to close clutch 23. Immediately shaft 19 isput into rotation and the cutter is actuated. Almost by the time, or alittle before, that shaft 19 has completed one rotation, the end oflever 91 (Fig. 9) will have been crowded under roller 90 to such extentthat dog 86 will be disengaged from stop 88. This releases rod 84 andthe compression spring 83 shoots the wedge member 8:! outwardlyunderneath nib 80, thus raising lever arm 29 and opening the clutch,whereupon the shaft 19 will come to rest and will be brought to a stateof rest at just one complete revolution from its original idle positionby the means herebefore described. The trigger 95 moves outwardlyunderneath finger 81 somewhat later, that is to say, when the screw 40has been reversed by the mechanism heretofore described and the block 66is moving in the opposite direction, which permits the spring 100 togradually expand and move rod 98 outwardly.

All the foregoing mechanisms are so organized and correlated that theseveral operations are automatically etl'ected and in the desiredsequence, and with no hand manipuiation or operation, other than thepresence of an, attendant to see that the parts are properly working andthat the proper adjustments are made to effect the various operationsefiiciently. That is to say, the operator must see that the properadjustments are given to the tension device B, the flatwise straightenerC, the edgewise straightener E, and to the rotatable member of theuntwisting device D. He will have to see that the adjustable stop 72 isso set as to produce reversal of the screw 40 at such intervals as toproduce cut-01f pieces of fabric of the desired lengths. While it ispreferred to have the several devices C, D and E arranged in thesequence in which shown, this is not absolutely necessary, as they mightbe arranged in some other order. The tension device B, however, mustcome first and the cutting-off device F must come last. As a result ofthe complete organized machine much tedious hand labor in themanufacture of wire corset stays is dispensed with, and an organizedmechanism has been produced which delivers pieces of the desired lengthwhich are both straight and flat, and which need no further handmanipulation, and indeed no further handling at all except theapplication thereto of the usual tips at the ends and the usualelectro-plating thereof to render the same rustproof.

I claim:

1. Wire fabricating mechanism com rising mechanism for-forming a wire faric, severing mechanism to which said fabric is fed, a clutch forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism, an automaticallyreversible mechanism, and means controlled by said reversible saidclutch. J v

2; Vv ire fabricating mechanism comprising mechanism for forming a wirefabric, severing mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severingmechanismcomprising a clutch, adriven screw, mechanism for periodically reversing the rotation of saidscrew, and means controlled from said screw for actuating said clutch.

3. \Vire fabricatin mechanism comprising mechanism for forming a wirefabric. severing mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism comprising aclutch,automatic reversing mechanism, and recip rocating means actuated by saidreversing mechanism and arranged to intermittently throw saidclutchinandout of operation.

4. Wire fabricating mechanism comprisin'g mechanism forforming a wire faric, severing mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism comprising a clutch,automatically reversible mechanism, reciprocating means actuated by saidreversible mechanism, said reciprocating means in' eluding a memberarranged to put said clutch into operative condition, and a controlmember for permitting actuation of said clutch.

5. lVire fabricating mechanism compris ing mechanism for forming a wirefabric, severing mechanism to which said fabric. is fed, means forintermittently actuatingsaid severing mechanism, said means comprising aclutch, means biased to normally 0 ose said clutch, automaticreciprocating mechanism arranged when moved in one direction to opensaid clutch and when moved in the other direction to permit said clutchto close,

and a secondary control device for controlling the closing of saidclutch.

6. Wire fabricating mechanism comprising mechanism for forming a wirefabric, sercring mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism comprising a clutch,means for controlling said clutch comprising automatic reversingmechanism, reciprocating means actuated by said reversing mechanism andcontrolling the closing of' mechanism for actuating screw to move saidrod endwise, a spring put under con'ipression when said rod is movedendwise, a lock for retaining said rod against cndwise movement, a'tripmechanism operated by the movement of said sci-cw for releasing saidlock to permit the spring to open the clutch, and a second rod movedcndwise by the action of said screw and serving to release the clutchclosing means.

8. Wire fabricating mechanism comprising mechanism for forming a wirefabric, sever rag mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism, said means comprisinga clutch, a spring for automatically closing said clutch, mechanism foropening and holding open said clutch comprising a driven screw,mechanism actuated from the screw for au'tom'atieall reversing itsrotation, an endwise movable member actuated from said screw andarranged to permit the clutch to close, a spring biased when said memberis moved in one direction and arranged when released to move said memberin the other direction and open said clutch, and a secondary controlmember actuated by said reversing screw and arranged to release thecluteh closing means.

9. Wire fabricating mechanism comprising mechanism for forming a wirefabric, severing mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism comprising a clutch, aspring arranged to normally close said clutch, mechanism for openingsaid clutch comprising automatic reversing mechanism, a rod moved in onedirection by said automatic reversing mechanism to thereby release theelutch closing means, a spring put under compression when said rod ismoved, and means for releasing said rod from said reciprocatingmechanism, whereby said spring will move said rod to open the clutch.

10. Wire fabricating mechanism com rising mechanism for forming a wirefa ric, severing mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism comprising a clutch, anautomatic reversing mechanism, a pair of endwise movable rods actuatedfrom said reversing mechanism, each of said rods carrying means forholding the clutch in open position, springs arranged to bias both ofsaid rods in a direction to hold the clutch open, means actuated by thereversing mechanism to move one of said rods to withdraw its clutchlocking means and simultaneously compressing the spring, means alsoactuated by the reversing mechanism and actuated slightly later than thefirst-named means for withdrawing the second-named rod to permit theclutch to close and automatic means for releasing the first-named rod topermit its sprlng to open the clutch.

11. Wire fabricating mechanism comprising means for forming a wirefabric, severing mechanism to which said fabric is fed, means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism comprising a clutch,automatic reversing mechanism, a spring biased member normally holdingthe clutch in open position, means operated from the reversing mechanismfor withdrawing said spring biased member from control of the clutchreversible mechanism for actuating said clutch, said reversiblemechanism being adjustable to regulate said clutch actuating means torender the severing mechanism operative at intervals determined by thespeed of feeding the fabric, whereby to sever the latter inpredetermined lengths.

13. Machine for making wire fabric, comprising in combination, amechanism for forming wire fabric, a severing mechanism, means forfeeding the fabric to said severing mechanism, and means forintermittently actuating said severing mechanism, comprising a clutch,means tending normally to close said clutch, automatic reciprocatingmechanism arranged when moved in one direction to open said clutch, andwhen moved in the other direction to permit said clutch to close, andmeans for regulating the movement of said reciprocating mechanism tovary the periodicity of the operating cycle.

of said severing mechanism relative to the speed at which the fabric isfed to the latter. In testimony whereof, I sign my name.

-WILLIAM E. BOWLER.

